After two weeks on the sidelines with a shoulder injury Takashi Saito made a tune-up appearance in the Braves’ second-to-last game of the season Saturday, retiring just one of the six batters he faced while allowing two runs on two hits and three walks.
It was an ugly appearance and not surprisingly the Braves have decided not to include Saito on the NLDS roster for their first-round series against the Giants. He could be added if the Braves advance to the NLCS, but Saito has already experienced several setbacks with the injury and is far from a sure thing to be ready by then.
Atlanta has no shortage of capable late-inning options in the bullpen, but losing Saito still hurts. Prior to the ugly tune-up appearance Saturday he posted a 2.52 ERA, .196 opponents’ batting average, and 69/14 K/BB ratio in 54 innings as Billy Wagner’s primary setup man.

Blash, 28, was acquired by the Yankees from the Padres back in December in the Chase Headley trade. In trading Blash to the Angels, the Yankees were able to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Brandon Drury, the infielder they acquired as part of a three-team trade with the Diamondbacks and Rays on Tuesday.

Over parts of two seasons in the majors, Blash has hit an underwhelming .200/.323/.336 in 279 plate appearances. He will try to play his way into a bench role for the Angels this spring.